Direct answer: The phrase “Remember the Alamo” is not definitively traceable to a single original speaker; it emerged as a rallying cry associated with the defenders at the Alamo and was widely popularized in the Texas cause, with later attribution to various figures, including General Sam Houston, though historians note there isn’t a single verifiable first utterance. Context and nuance:

• Origins: The Alamo defenders’ last stand in 1836 became a potent symbol for Texan independence. The cry was used to galvanize volunteers and sustain morale in the ensuing fight for independence. The exact first person to say it remains uncertain, and several accounts point to it circulating informally among troops and supporters rather than being a documented quotation from a specific moment or individual.

• Early use and popularization: By the time of the San Jacinto campaign in April 1836, the phrase had already gained currency as a battle motto and rallying sentiment, with figures like Sam Houston later invoking it in the broader narrative of Texas independence. This contributed to the strong association between Houston and the phrase, even though he may not have coined it originally.

• Scholarly perspectives: Modern scholarship and popular histories sometimes challenge traditional narratives, noting that “Remember the Alamo” is a powerful but simplified emblem of the Alamo saga, rather than a verbatim quote with a confirmed single origin. Some analyses trace the broader memory culture surrounding the siege and its aftermath rather than pinpointing a precise source.

If you’d like, I can pull more in-depth sources or quotes from specific historians, or summarize how different historians frame the origin and evolution of this battle cry.